Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke discussed his dismissal in a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

Burke was fired by the team on Wednesday, days after the NHL and NHLPA reached an agreement on a labor deal that will result in a 48-game season.

Burke was brutal honestly, as he always has been, when discussing his dismissal, saying that if the team had won more, he would still be employed.

We didn't win," Burke said, "Obviously, your job as the GM is to bring in players that win. We didn't win.

"I can stand here and say 'oh, they didn't like my personality,' but those all become pretexts and excuses later. If you win enough games you can be as obnoxious as you want to be."

The Leafs went 128-135-42 during his reign and finished a disappointing 13th in the Eastern Conference last season. Toronto last qualified for the playoffs in 2004 — the longest current drought in the NHL.

Burke, 57, said he was surprised by the timing of his dismissal and admitted that “I did not get a satisfactory explanation for that.”

"There's sometimes when you get fired and you see the vultures circling and you understand it's coming," said Burke. "You're not sure when you're going to drop dead in the desert, but it's coming and you can see the vultures.

"This one here was like a two-by-four upside the head to me."

Reports have indicated that Burke was dismissed because the new owner’s weren’t a fan of his style. Burke was once again honest in that regard.

“Maybe the new guys don’t like that brand,” Burke said. “I’m Irish, I’m stubborn. I’m not going to change. I have to find someone who likes that brand.”

Dave Nonis was named as Burke’s replacement earlier in the week.

Burke will remain with the Leafs as a senior adviser consulting with Tom Anselmi, the president of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, as well as the team's Board of Governors. He will not advise the Leafs about on-ice issues.

Burke made it clear he wasn't comfortable simply riding out the final 22 months of his contract, and that he would relish the opportunity to run another NHL team.

"Tomorrow, if I can," Burke said. "I don't think I'm done from a hockey perspective. I am definitely in the job market, no question."

The Anaheim Ducks won the 2007 Stanley Cup when Burke was the general manager. He also served as GM of the U.S. men's hockey team for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.